And we have "intrusive" government regulations to thank for that. It is Haiti's lack of building codes which is to blame for the devastation in Haiti, and is the reason for the lack of devastation here

And we have "intrusive" government regulations to thank for that. It is Haiti's lack of building codes which is to blame for the devastation in Haiti, and is the reason for the lack of devastation here

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I don't think that country has the financial ability to have building codes. How do you have a building code for people trying to make a home out of driftwood?

Those weren't driftwood huts that fell over in Haiti that killed everyone. It was the multiple floors of concrete slab piled on top of each other.

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Ummm I think I know that. But if you are going to have a building code, then you have to have a building code for all. Many of these countries have water and electric in ways that would never pass any type of code. They do what they have to do to make it work. That's what happens to these poor nations. I'm sure that building codes are the last thing on their minds. Even after a disaster like they just had.
Besides, building codes are a joke. All it is is a way for governments to make money. My neighbor wanted to build a new house on his property and then tear down his old. Permits were going to cost him about 2K. His wife got sick and he had to hold off and when he decided to fianlly move forward (a few years later) he couldn't do it because those 2K in permit fees had gone up to 18-20K in fees. Tell me, is it about the safety of building or is it about money? Then you have those that turn their head for a few extra bucks and when something goes wrong they don't hold the township responsible because according to them......the work passed code. Are their legitimate inspectors? Absolutely. But in the end it is still all about the money.

Haiti had problems before the earthquake - they were a poor nation and the earthquake hit them right near the capital IIRC... put a 7.0+ under the middle of LA and you'll still see some serious damage/destruction... imagine if there were no building guidelines or earthquake retrofitting or emergency services network? scary thought!

And we have "intrusive" government regulations to thank for that. It is Haiti's lack of building codes which is to blame for the devastation in Haiti, and is the reason for the lack of devastation here

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we? as in both goverments? (Mexico and USA) most of the damage was in Mexicali (and about 40 miles south in rural areas)

Haiti had problems before the earthquake - they were a poor nation and the earthquake hit them right near the capital IIRC... put a 7.0+ under the middle of LA and you'll still see some serious damage/destruction... imagine if there were no building guidelines or earthquake retrofitting or emergency services network? scary thought!

Ummm I think I know that. But if you are going to have a building code, then you have to have a building code for all. Many of these countries have water and electric in ways that would never pass any type of code. They do what they have to do to make it work. That's what happens to these poor nations. I'm sure that building codes are the last thing on their minds. Even after a disaster like they just had.Besides, building codes are a joke. All it is is a way for governments to make money. My neighbor wanted to build a new house on his property and then tear down his old. Permits were going to cost him about 2K. His wife got sick and he had to hold off and when he decided to fianlly move forward (a few years later) he couldn't do it because those 2K in permit fees had gone up to 18-20K in fees. Tell me, is it about the safety of building or is it about money? Then you have those that turn their head for a few extra bucks and when something goes wrong they don't hold the township responsible because according to them......the work passed code. Are their legitimate inspectors? Absolutely. But in the end it is still all about the money.

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Our government isn't in the business of making money. In the end, it's here to serve the in the best interest of us citizens.